Kanpai Japanese Restaurant

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  3     

This place is just not Japanese! The sushi was terrible, the rice was stuck together too much and the sushi paper was soggy like they were made the day before and put in the fridge for later use. The tempura was the worst I have ever had! The batter was more like batter of fish and chips.

I would not reccommend this place at all. I have eaten a lot of Japanese food from around the world but I would not feed the food from this place to my dog, it was truly disgusting and made me feel sick and greasy for the rest of the day. Stay away.

Mar 11, 2012 

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  8      Value  6     

For a light meal before seeing a movie, we often go to Kanpai. If a little noisy and busy, service is reliably prompt, an important point when time is a factor. There are plenty of vegetable options and unlike some Japanese restaurants if you order a vegetable dish it will not have a king prawn tossed on top or bonito flake garnish.

The main meals are good/average but the appetisers are definitely worth the visit. We often order an assortment of appetisers rather than a main. Particular favourites are the agedashi tofu and nasu dengaku and the time to enjoy.

Feb 13, 2012 

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  9     

We had lunch here and were pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed it. It helped that we had an outside table on a beautiful day and there was an interesting passing parade of people.

But the food was Ok, especially the Gyoza and the seaweed salad. The mixed sushi and sashimi platter was not the best I have had but it was passable and the prices were low, especially for Chapel St. So all in all we walked away pretty happy and would recommend this place if you are craving Japanese and are up this end of Chapel St.

Feb 07, 2012 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

I went there first nearly thirty years ago. It was my first experience of Japanese cuisine. The Chef there was a master, the sushi was presented in little boats made out of tempura batter, iedible carved birds decorated the plates. Food superb but was so amazed at the artistry of the presentation that I thought it almost a shame to eat the food. It made me feel like royalty eating there. It was cramped then too but I had dreamed of going back there ever since. I wish I had a camera on me at that time, each dish was an adventure. Should I go back.. Is it still as awesome?

Dec 04, 2011 

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Service  1     

Everything was just awful there, poor customer services! after hearing the two of us only want to order one meal they completely ignored us and while taking our dish out we saw the waitress throw a dirty cloth at the others after wiping down a saucy table as a joke! the udon was terrible, as if salt was for free! we asked for it to be redone and was given attitude.

Later asked for a refill on water, took 3 times until they decided to come out with a bottle and on the way in the waitress yelled out "omg shes so annoying" in chinese. Well too bad. I understood and when I confronted her to the senior staff all I got was "oh my bad my bad" and "well I let you reorder already haven't I?" while both of them still giggling! so we ended up just leaving.

May 08, 2011 

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  4     

Not Japanese run, this is reflected in the shocking service, grim tempura, and average rice. On the plus the sashimi was good and the ambience is ok. Not once were bottles cleared from the table, the wine list was weird, no eye contact ever from the waitress who literally threw the plates down in front of us. When I asked for the bill she dropped it on the table as she rushed by to have a drink of her tea. Also, a dish was left out and then brought just as we were about to leave.

The tempura came out with what I think were the carrot and radish decorations from the sashimi plate fried up... yuck. The yakiniku beef was ok but more like a chinese stir fry. The rice was average. The prices were at Japanese restaurant levels so this didn't add up to good value.

To top this the gents were a disgrace, no need to go into details, hope this doesn't reflect the state of the kitchen. Never going back.

Mar 14, 2011 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  7     

I've been here a few times now and would go back again. I always enjoy the sushi/sashimi/nigiri entree. I found that the service was average and the place itself is very small although always busy which is a good sign. I would go back there as I always find the food quite delicious.

Jan 13, 2010 

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  7     

You pay for what you get around $15 for a Teriyaki (meat) and just under $20 for seafood dish. The servings are pretty big compared to many others. Quality and taste are good.

The place is squashy, we were squashed onto a table of 4 when we had 5 people. So I was pretty much right next to the table behind me, which made me feel uncomfortable as I could have been invading their space. Anything to make a buck I guess for the owners. Staff don't really understand english.

Oct 15, 2009 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

The teppanyaki meat is one of my favorite dishes here. The garlic sauce with some extra chili powder is so delicious!

The service was okay, sometimes they forgot about the order and cook if after we ask for it.

May 07, 2009 

5.3 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  6     

The food and prices here are reasonable. The menu is extensive. The service is a little rushed, so it's not the most relaxing evening you can have. It's popular, so must be doing something right.

Jan 30, 2009